Obi, Alia Clash Over Blocked Benue Visit

The visit of Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi to Benue State has triggered a fresh dispute with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration after Obi’s convoy was blocked by youths along the Makurdi-Gboko road.

Obi was travelling towards Yelwata to meet families affected by the deadly attacks in the community in June 2025. Videos from the scene showed youths barricading the road and preventing the convoy from proceeding. The police confirmed that it was aware of Obi’s movement and that officers provided security for the trip, but said the reason for the blockade remained under investigation.

Obi accused suspected political supporters of being behind the obstruction, alleging that the youths were led by a Special Assistant to the state government. He described the incident as unacceptable and questioned why anyone would prevent a political figure from visiting communities affected by violence to offer condolences.

The Benue State Government, however, rejected the allegation and denied sponsoring or organising the youths. Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said the administration did not patronise or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security. The government also questioned why Obi visited without formally notifying the state authorities.

The disagreement over notification has become a central part of the dispute. While the state government maintained that it was not informed of Obi’s visit and therefore could not make the necessary arrangements, the NDC’s Benue governorship candidate, Terhemba Shija, said Obi’s team had informed the police and Department of State Services. The police subsequently confirmed that it knew about the movement and provided security, although it did not say whether the state government had been formally notified.

That distinction is important because it separates what is currently established from what remains an allegation. The obstruction itself has been confirmed, but there is yet to be an official determination identifying who organised the youths or establishing whether the state government had any role in the incident. Obi’s allegation of government involvement remains unproven, while the government’s denial also does not by itself establish who was responsible.

The confrontation is also significant because it is not the first disagreement between Obi and Alia over a visit to Benue. In April 2025, Alia objected to a planned visit by Obi to internally displaced persons, citing security and protocol concerns. The governor argued at the time that high-profile visitors should inform the state government so that appropriate security arrangements could be made.

The latest incident therefore goes beyond a disagreement over one blocked road. It raises broader questions about political tolerance, the safety of opposition figures and the management of political activities as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections. Political disagreement is legitimate, but physical obstruction and confrontations involving groups of youths can quickly create security risks and deepen political tensions.

For now, the most important unanswered question is who organised the blockade and why. Until the ongoing investigation provides evidence, claims that the youths were sponsored by the state government should remain allegations rather than established facts.